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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to charge for this?

32 replies

speckledostrichegg · 11/06/2017 16:08

Opinions please, I think IWBU

I tutor A-level economics and had a lesson scheduled for this morning. I got an email from mum of a student, explaining that he wanted to cancel as he has several exams next week, is feeling stressed and doesn't want a lesson. This was 20 mins before our lesson was due to start. This is frustrating as I spend several hours planning lessons (as the exam is this week I cannot use the plan for him at another time)- I don't normally teach at the weekend and would have stayed an extra night at my partners (LDR) if I had known in advance he wanted to cancel.

She was extremely apologetic and asked for details to pay. I sent her my bank details and have had no reply. I now feel that she wanted me to offer to waive the fee.

I feel really guilty that I went ahead and charged, a-level/uni exams were a long time ago for me but I still remember how incredibly stressed I got about them and would also probably be tempted to cancel things last minute to panic revise!

OP posts:
Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 11/06/2017 16:09

Presumably you tutor for financial gain not for charity?
Yanbu to chase her for the cash!!

SteppingOnToes · 11/06/2017 16:10

It was extremely short notice so you were right charging - it's not like it was an emergency; she could have told you days previously.

NewDayDawning · 11/06/2017 16:10

I think anything less than 24hours notice and they should still pay for the session.

Original poster
speckledostrichegg · 11/06/2017 16:11

My general policy is that I ask for 24 hours notice, if it's less than that but the student is ill then I do not charge

OP posts:
TheDiamondMumcrafter · 11/06/2017 16:11

No YANBU to charge. I assume he was stressed yesterday so they should have told you them.

Original poster
speckledostrichegg · 11/06/2017 16:13

Thanks for quick replies! Cross-post there

No this is definitely for financial gain, I am currently retraining for a different career path and my money situation is dire...

OP posts:
araiwa · 11/06/2017 16:14

i dont understand- she offered to pay and asked for your details so she could pay you. you supplied the details. she will pay you- maybe she will go to the bank tomorrow

ImperialBlether · 11/06/2017 16:15

Of course they should pay. Don't even think about it.

AntiHop · 11/06/2017 16:15

She should definitely pay it.

KoalaDownUnder · 11/06/2017 16:16

No no no! Do not feel guilty. You need to be paid!

Trifleorbust · 11/06/2017 16:16

Just check for the payment in a couple of days. Don't overthink it.

ScarlettFreestone · 11/06/2017 16:18

Of course you should charge!

Don't give it another thought.

ArchieStar · 11/06/2017 16:18

YANBU, if more notice was given then you would be, but it wasn't. Lesson planning takes up a lot more time than people think, it's an absolute ball ache when you can't follow it through!!

AnnieAnoniMouse · 11/06/2017 16:34

YANBU

They didn't want the booked lesson, that's their choice, but the fee still needs to be paid. Different if something happened & they couldn't make it then maybe 50%, but their choice...then 100%.

Frustrating you came home when you didn't need to 😕

Fletcherl · 11/06/2017 16:36

You are right to charge. I have various friends who own small businesses one is B and B and one a photographer. If someone chances with less than 24h they charge.

stonecircle · 11/06/2017 16:39

My piano teacher had a rule that you had to pay if less than 24 hours notice. She would waive this if a student was ill and she could re-schedule the lesson.

I think rescheduling is nicer than charging for missed lessons but you can't do that on this occasion. No reason why you should be out of pocket. Did you explain to the mum that you'd altered your arrangements and spent time preparing for the lesson?

Mummyoflittledragon · 11/06/2017 16:39

If they were repeat clients, who'd been coming for a substantial time, maybe a year, I'd say discretionary. If they're ill, it's different but in both cases, you are still entitled to charge.

harderandharder2breathe · 11/06/2017 16:41

Yanbu, you should be paid as you've already spent time planning and have arranged plans around his lesson. 20 minutes notice is nothing, you might've already been on your way there!

LittleBeautyBelle · 11/06/2017 16:41

I think your intuition is right, Op. Technically, they should pay. You have a policy of 24 hours notice.

She could have said her son was ill and not had to pay the fee. Instead she was honest and explained that he was stressed, for good reason. It sounds like they are pretty diligent otherwise in coming to the lessons. I would have waived the fee this first time but you are within your rights absolutely to charge her, 20 minutes notice is cutting it right down to the wire. So it does make sense to charge. They will certainly give proper notice going forward and they will respect your time from now on.

NataliaOsipova · 11/06/2017 16:41

You were quite justified. 20 minutes notice is rude, except in a genuine emergency.

CaveMum · 11/06/2017 16:43

YANBU. My dance teacher charges 100% of her fee if you cancel within 48 hours of a booked lesson and 50% if you cancel 7 days before. She has to pay for hall hire fees up front and these are non-refundable.

Colacolaaddict · 11/06/2017 16:43

You're right to charge but it's very early to worry about nonpayment, it's only been a few hours.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 11/06/2017 16:45

You did the right thing.🌸

MrsKlugscheisser · 11/06/2017 16:56

We have a maths tutor for DD2. I'm quite clear that if we cancel, for whatever reason, at short notice, we still pay for the lesson. YANBU.

luckylucky24 · 11/06/2017 16:56

Absolutely not being unreasonable.